LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 







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P^ET OlSTE 



DISEASES 



DOMESTIC POULTRY. 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 



By GEO. P. BUENHAM. 

AUTHOR OF THE " NEW ENGLAND POULTRY BREEDER," THE "HISTORY OF THB 

HEN FEVER," " BURNHAM'S NEW POULTRY BOOK," THE "CHINA FOWL — 

SHANGHAE, COCHIN, AND BRAHMA," ETC. 



WITH A PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR. 



[Copyright, 1876, AccoEDma to law.] 



MELROSE, IMASS. 
1876. 




fp 



n'^ 



NOTE TO THIRD EDITION. 

We have received from all quarters — and without an exception, 
through extensivQ private correspondence, since our little work was 
put upon the market in September — the most flattering encomiums 
regarding the value and utility of this treatise. Breeders and fanci- 
ers throughout the country have approved the volume, unqualifiedly, 
as "the best thing of its kind ever published." 

The Poultry World says, " It will achieve a lasting popularity, 
and remain a standard work of great value." The Fancier's Jour- 
nal says, " It should be in the hands of every fowl-breeder in the 
land." The Poultry Review recommends it cordially, and Avith 
great confidence in its utility. Hon. Geo. B. Loring is " much im- 
pressed b}' the excellence of its arrangement, and with the value of 
its contents." The Chicago Poultry Journal sa3-s, " It is a hand- 
book that should be owned by every man who has the care of fowls." 
Gen. C. A. Johnson pronounces it " a timely need, most adequately 
supplied. I consider this book the greatest boon yet conferred on 
the poultr}'^ fraternity." Geo. O. Brown affii'ms that "this volume 
contains information that fowl-breeders cannot afford to be without. 
It has long been needed, and this fills the bill, completcl}-." Edmund 
S. Ralph writes " It is very concise, and what is said is wi'itten strait 
to the point." C. A. Sweet, President of the American Poultry 
Association says, "This excellent work should form part of everj' 
fancier's and breeder's library." I. K. Felch thinks " this is a work 
that all fowl breeders should own — as it is a guide to the prevention 
of disease ; of far more value than modes to cure them." A. D. 
Warren pronounces it valuable, and adds " in my judgement no book 
has ever been written on the subject of Poultrj' Diseases, that contains 
so much of common-sense advice, in so few words." Wm. E. Flower 
says, " It will prove a boon, indeed, to all who keep poultiy." Isaac 
Van Winkle saj's, " Mr. Burnhara has in this work conferred upon 
the poultry community an invaluable benefit." T. B. Miner writes, 
" I consider this the most important and valuable work for its size 
that has ever been written, on matters pertaining to poultry." Etc 

A prominent Western fancier writes me thus, from Kentuckj^ : — 

* * * " Your book on 'Diseases of Poultry' is received. I es- 
teem it the most valuable work of its kind in existence. And had I 
possessed a copy six weeks earlier, I am certain I could have been 
enabled to have saved the lives of twelve or fifteen veiy valuable 
fowls. As it is, I have applied its precepts with marked benefit to 
tue balance of mj' invalid fowl stock ; and I shall not fi^il to recom- 
mend 3'our excellent book most earnestly to all brother fanciers." 

We call attention to the chapter of "Addenda," at the close of 
the present edition ; and trust that all will similarly " apply the pre- 
cepts" suggested, in a thorough manner. 
v:? Melrose, December, 1876. 
2 




PA.RT OlsTE. 



POULTRY DISEASES 

are by no means manifold, nor are these disorders vastly 
varied in character. A sick fowl is a " poor creature," verily ! 
And the advice of Robert Scot Burn to mercilessly (or rather 
mercifully) give such subject over to the hand of the execu- 
tioner, generally speaking — rather than attempt to " doctor " 
and restore it — suggests the least troublesome way to get rid 
of the chicken-house eyesore. And seven times in ten this is 
a humane and sensible mode whereby to " cure " the evil upon 
the premises where the sickness originates. 

This summary course of procedure is not however uniformly 
advisable in cases of fowl sickness. Nor is it either economical 
or necessary — especially in instances where the bird is valuable, 
more than ordinarily. 

Diseases in poultry are not unlike those that assail human 
beings, in one respect : — fowls are commonly half dead before 
the disorders that attack them are understood ; and they are 

5 



C DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

quite half cured, as soon as their keepers appreciate what the 
difficulty may be. The sick man is usually half dead before 
he knows what is his ailment — and he is half recovered, when 
he learns what his trouble really is. In this connection we 
may say, at the outset, that we deem it quite important that 
the veritable character of the disease under which the afflicted 
fowl may be suffering should be appreciated, before we com- 
mence dosing it — in any event. 

If vermin be the cause of the drooping, sluggish, depressed 
condition frequently evinced in a sick bird, this fact should 
first be comprehended ; since we would not doctor a chicken 
for roup, or dysentery, to relieve it from a " violent attack " 
of lice. 

On the other hand, if the chicken is assailed with clearly 
roupy or inflammatory symptoms, we can have no occasion to 
administer sulphur or carbolic powder, outwardly, through its 
feathers, in an attempt to effect a cure of this really internal 
head or stomach difficulty. 

First, then, let us ascertain what the matter is with the birds 
we find nominally " diseased." If we are unable through 
inexperience to determine this primal question, or if the 
symptoms indicate the approach of some disorder that is to our 
eye unfamiliar, then wds should call in some friend, or expert, 
who can aid in determining the diagnosis of the ailment. For 
— at the beginning — if we do not know what the illness is, 
how can any one intelligently venture to prescribe for it ? 

As we proceed, therefore, I shall briefly endeavor to explain 
what usually occurs among the tenants of the poultry-house, 
when they are getting ill, or when they first show the premon- 
itory symptoms of ordinary diseases. And I will then suggest 
such remedies as have proved efficacious in my own experience, 
or in that of friends whose practice I am acquainted with. 
Again insisting that more fatal errors in treatment of fowl 
stock, when " under the weather," occur from ignorance of 
what their ailment actually is, than follow from all the real 
assaults the feathered kingdom are ever stricken down with. 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUEE THEM. 7 

The application of a fir-balsam plaster upon a fowl's acci- 
dentally-wounded throat or flank, may heal the cut or gap, if 
we know how and where to affix the soothing remedial. But 
if this curative be used to palliate or relieve a case of dysen- 
tery, for instance, by applying it upon the fowl's rump-gland, it 
would scarcely produce the desired result. 

Yet just such ridiculous follies as this — in ejBfect — are every 
week indulged in by novices and experimentalists, who are 
ignorant as to what the poor bird's ails may be ; and who as 
often as any way doctor them for diarrhcea^ when the fowl is 
really suffering from constipation of the bowels ! 

A very general misconception is entertained among those 
who have to do with poultry-keeping, in regard to the char- 
acter, the extent, and the symptoms of fowl diseases. 

It is claimed by many writers on this subject that about all 
the catalogue of technical ills that human flesh is heir to — from 
a common cold to incurable /(? vers and cholera — are the natural 
portion of the fowl race in modern times ; and the names given 
by these savans to chicken sickness, in number and variety are 
legion. 

Now the writer of this present treatise is very well known 
to have had a wide experience in raising poultry. For upwards 
of a third of a century he has been engaged in this work — 
practically and experimentally. And he has thus had ample 
opportunity to learn something of both sick and healthy fowls, 
in that long period, assuredly. 

We, therefore, speaking of our own knowledge, maintain that 
instead of the almost numberless kinds of diseases to which 
fowls are said to be subject, as a matter of fact there are but 
very few different ails that affect poultry. And the grand 
causes producing these ailments are traceable almost univer- 
sally to one and the same, or analogous sources, for their 
origin. 

For example, we read in the Poultry books of the day that 
" of the nominal diseases which are prevalent among domestic 



8 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

gallinaceous fowls, the following may be mentioned, as com- 
mon : " a most comprehensive list, indeed I 

Apoplexy, Asthma, Roup, Vertigo, Paralysis, Indigestion, 
Catarrh, Canker, Pip, Colds, Gapes, Snuffles, Sore head, Hoars- 
ness, Crop-bound, Inflamations, Drooping, Diarrhoea, Constipa- 
tion, Dropsy, Scaly legs, Loss of plumage. White Comb, Black 
Comb, Dyphtheria, Vermin, Lethargy, Rheumatics, Cramps, 
Dizziness, Egg-eating, Bumble-foot, Gout, Feather-eating, Col- 
lapse of muscles. Debility, Breaking down in the limbs, Egg- 
sac rupture. Dysentery, Fevers, Moulting, Cholera, and other 
afflictions unknown. 

Here are some forty, only ! Now of this extraordinary cat- 
egory of so called " diseases " amongst poultry, there are but 
about half a dozen actual ails which domesticated fowls are 
generally subject to, that go to make up this elongated, hor- 
rifying list. 

And these, as a rule (not of course invariably, because there 
are exceptions to all rules), are in the main manageable, pre- 
ventable, or curable — through the exercise of a goodly share 
of common sense, a little ordinary intelligence, some practice, 
and a kindly disposition towards the sufferers. 

Roup — for instance — in its various phases is simply ca- 
tarrh, dyphtheria, hoarseness, snuffles, inflammation in throat 
and nostrils, a cold, sore head, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, leth- 
argy, drooping, cramp, asthma, dizziness, general debility, 
fever — and death. This is roup — pluribtis in unum — many 
in one. 

Of the forty-two different varieties of so-denominated " dis- 
eases" which we have here quoted from a leading poultry 
work, common roup actually represents about one half of the 
catalogue distinctly and separately named, by a noted author 
" learned " on other subjects, but very ignorant about this ! 

We propose therefore in this treatise to consider the Diseases 
of Poultry under five or six general heads, only ; inasmuch as 
if we take cognizance of ROUP, indigestion, external and in- 
ternal INFLAMMATIONS, LICE, CHOLERATic attacks, and acci- 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 9 

dental affections, we may account for, and explain the causes 
and effects of all the ills otherwise named, which we find the 
astute poultry-writers of modern days have given us so fearful 
an inventory of. 

It has been accurately stated by the experienced editor of 
the Hartford Poultry World that " roup, lice, feather-eating, 
and choleratic difficulties are four things that occasion Amer- 
can poultry men more trouble, first and last, than all other 
" diseases " among fowls that are nameable, combined." 

And nothing can be truer than this. 

For conciseness, then, we will consider the subject-matter of 
this little work under a few distinct heads ; and point out as 
we have found them advantageous in long practice — the rem- 
edies for ordinary fowl diseases. 

FIRST, VERMIN. 

We commence with this pest of the poultry-house, because, 
though not by itself literally a disease, it is absolutely the 
prime cause of more torment, sickness, and destruction to 
fowl-life, than all other evils to which poultry is prone, of any 
description whatsoever. 

We assert without fear of successful contradiction that more 
chickens and young fowls are annually destroyed from being 
infested with this nuisance on their bodies, and from its pres- 
ence in the nests, coops, and about the roosts they frequent, 
than are lost through any and all other causes poultry keepers 
know anything of. 

Lice generate and multiply rapidly in foul or dark premises, 
upon neglected nests and perches where the birds lay or con- 
gregate at night, or in the cracks and crevices of the poultry- 
house ; and thence among the feathers of the fowls, old or 
young, they swarm in myriads, if not seasonably taken care of 
and dispersed or destroyed. 

There is no controlling or limiting the depredations of these 
innumerable parasites, except by their absolute extermination. 



10 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

And this is effected only through eternal vigilance. They are. 
of all enemies, the most insidious, constant and pernicious foe 
to poultry, and to young chicks especially. 

The whole feathered tribe (in a domestic state) is peculiarly 
subject to this infection. Many persons who keep fowls, 
pigeons, or pet cage-birds, do not understand this. And rarely 
taking effective measures to prevent their accumulation, they 
know not why it is that their fowls fail, droop, sicken, and 
die — one after another, from no apparent organic indisposition. 
The trouble is they have been " eaten up alive," by vermin. 

A friend residing not far distant from our town erected a 
nice large poultry-house, three years ago, 100 by 32 feet in 
dimensions. Into this, in six compartments, he huddled 160 
breeding fowls. Within two months, he complained that his 
setting-hens would not remain on their nests. And he actually 
lost over thirty fowls, who died from no outwardly seeming 
cause — while, during the season, he contrived to hatch only 
65 chicks, out of nearly 800 eggs he set ! 

He came to us for advice. We examined his premises, and 
instantly discovered the vexation, which he had never sus- 
pected, even. The house ivas filled tvith vermin^ and millions of 
lice were rioting upon his fowls' bodies, in the nests, and over 
his roosts. We pointed out the difficulty, and suggested our 
remedy. And the following year (from the same stock) he 
successfully raised over 500 chickens, while he lost but half a 
dozen adult birds, and these from accidental causes. 

In this brief work, we cannot refer to many other similar 
cases, except in a general way. But, of all the prime causes 
that result in disease or death among domestic poultry, it may 
safely be set down that the presence of lice among them is the 
chiefest of evils. 

Upon young chicks of the crested varieties, such as Hou- 
dans, Polands, etc., the tufts of their heads are a favorite shel- 
ter for vermin ; and hundreds are thus destroyed, annually, by 
these parasites. Great care should be exercised by breeders of 
these varieties, to keep their chicles free from this nuisance. 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 11 

It is not sufficient that you clear out this pest once, or twice, 
or thrice. If you continue to breed fowls, you must not only 
continue to drive these parasites away, but you roust keep them 
at a distance — or they will beat you, in the end. 

And we repeat the assertion, that to our constant hostility 

to them, and a continuous vigilance' towards their annihilation 

upon our own premises, for years after we satisfied ourself of 

their baleful influence, do we owe the subsequent generally 

, healthy condition of our own stock, at last. 

Lousy fowls are never healthy, and are usually short-lived. 
Three-fourths of all the chicks that die before they are two 
months old, are killed by vermin. And those who lose them 
can never account for the fearful mortality accruing among 
their chickens. 

But ail this destruction may be avoided, 'and there is a 
certain remedy for this offensive and troublous nuisance ; 
which precedes and fatally aids the inception, progress, and 
finale to all other described " diseases," save those of accident 
or inheritance. 

Prevention of the possibility of their presence to any extent, 
in your hen-houses, or upon the bodies of the fowls, is the only 
positive cure for this evil. 

To effect this, the building, however economically con- 
structed — and whether small or large — should be of dimen- 
sions proportionate to the number of birds you keep under a 
single roof ; and these should be rendered comfortable for the 
stock. 

When you first place fowls within the house, see to it that 
every bird is cleansed from lice, before he or she enters it. 
Don't begin at the wrong end, by putting lousy fowls into a 
new or clean heh-house. 

To clear them of parasites, rub dry powdered sulphur, or 
carbolic powder, thoroughly through the feathers (to the skin) 
of adult fowls ; and under each wing of cocks and hens, smear a 
little mixture of lard, sulphur-dust, and kerosene — as well as a 
dab of this also at the back of the head, and around and above 



12 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

the vent. Follow this up (outside your clean house) for three 
days — and you will thus, when you introduce your birds to 
their chosen premises, carry in no vermin at the commencement. 
They will leave — rest assured of this. 

Upon young chicks, the lard and kerosene should be dispensed 
with. The powdered sulphur alone, or the carbolic powder, if 
thoroughly applied, is sufficient on their little bodies ; and the 
other is too pungent and penetrating, until they are older, and 
tougher-skinned. 

Now, sponge the roosts once in a week or fortnight with 
kerosene, or spirits of turpentine. Do this in the day time. 
It will thus dry off or evaporate mostly by nightfall. The 
fumes remain, however, and these are death to the parasites, 
if any are about. 

Next, dust the laying nests and the sitting-coops, with the 
sulphur. Place under the straw where hens sit dry tobacco 
leaves, if convenient. And upon the bottom and sides of nest- 
boxes rub the kerosene, occasionally. 

Among the varieties of parasites that breeders have found 
excessively troublesome, none have proved more difficult to 
destroy or get rid of, when once they obtain possession of the 
fowl-premises or get a hold on their bodies, than the small red 
louse (or "red-spider," as some call it, being not unlike the 
greenhouse aphis)^ — which infests many localities. This kind 
of vermin is not generally common, but they are very annoying, 
and destructive as well, if they are suffered to accumulate. 

Sulphur alone dusted upon fowls will not destroy this "red 
spider." But a thorough fumigation of the house they infest, 
by closing the building tightly and burning a few pounds of 
rosin and sulphur together inside, will " clean them out." 
Carbolic powder rubbed through the fowls' feathers, and the 
washing of your roosts with kerosene two or three times will 
finish them effectually, if this be faithfully done. 

In the dust-boxes, where the fowls enjoy their daily roll, 
place finely sifted leached ashes, and a pound or two of the pow- 
dered sulphur mixed. Fumigate your houses twice or thrice 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUBE THEM. 13 

in a season, by burning a pot of crude brimstone and rosin in- 
side (when the fowls are absent, and it is tightly closed up,) 
and our word for it, whatever else you may be troubled with, 
fowl vermin will not annoy you, your poultry, or your premi- 
ses — when once you are ridded of this nuisance ; which, as 
we have intimated, is the most trying, destructive, and per- 
nicious secret scourge that afElicts domesticated fowl flesh, 
from the shell to their grave — if not kept at bay. 



ROUP — AND ITS PHASES. 

This common fowl malady — designated by various different 
hard names, as we have indicated — embraces the ills usually de- 
nominated by the superficial observer as sore head, inflamed 
eyes, dyphtheria, pustulated nostrils, a cold, hoarseness, heavy 
breathing, foul throat, snuffles, drowsiness, canker, blindness, 
drooping, cramps, fever or general debility, etc. 

It is so complicated in its character, and outwardly so varied 
in different cases, it is not surprising that so many different 
titles should obtain for its numerous phases. But all is roup. 

It is brought on and confirmed by keeping fowls in damp, 
cold, sunless quarters. From their exposure to wet, chilling 
weather, and drafts of harsh winds. It results through neg- 
lect of the birds' ordinary comfort, and by their eating poor 
food. It will be caused by obliging your stock to drink foul 
stale water, or by serving them with " damaged " grain. It 
will attack the flocks that are compelled to hive and roost in 
badly ventilated hen-houses. Filthy floors, covered by or im- 
pregnated with their accumulated excrements, will thus sicken 
them. In these poor conditions, vermin will assail the weak- 
ened birds without mercy, and this adds to the evil and aug- 
ments the roup amongst them, inevitably. 

A roupy fowl may be known from any of the symptoms or 
indications first above noted. This disease is insidious — as weU 
as multiform in the outward tokens of its approach, or its 



14 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

presence. It breaks out suddenly, often, and attacks several 
birds, apparently, at about the same time. 

The victims will droop, appear indolent, gapey, listless, and 
uncomfortable. Then the heads swell, the nostrils fill up, the 
comb and wattles turn pale, they breathe heavily, sulk around 
in the corners of coop or run, snip and sneeze, grow blind 
from swollen pustules gathering in and around the cheeks and 
eyes, lose their appetites, and finally fall away and die. 

The earliest certain signs of this disease among the fiock are 
usually discovered by the inordinate listlessness of the victims, 
and their moping about sluggishly. Loss of appetite is also 
an early token of this illness. The comb of the hens pale and 
whitens — or sometimes turns dark colored. The breathing 
grows stifled, and the breath becomes foul. The eyes are first 
watery, and then fill (often to blinding) with acrid mucous 
matter. Pustules form around the upper portion of the beak, 
in the gullet, and under the eyes. The head is inflamed. 
They gape, and gasp, " rattle in the throat," become ruffled 
in plumage, and decline to mount the roosts at evening. 

Roup usually comes on gradually. But it often occurs sud- 
denly — from contraction of a severe cold, in wet, bad seasons. 
Fever ensues, the eyes close up with the swelling of the cheek 
glands, and thus the poor bird cannot see to eat — if inclined 
— which generally it is not, in this state. They suffer greatly 
from thirst, evidently, in the meantime. 

The crop is usually found more or less distended, and the 
sufferer appears in pain, constantly. The nostrils are soon 
closed with the swelling and accumulating pus also, and they 
breathe with marked difficulty. So long as they can see, the 
affected birds will drink, incessantly. The forming pustules 
exude a froth, at times. This falls from the sores into the 
water-vessels, and the well fowls drink from the same foun- 
tain. This sickens others ; and the contagion quickly spreads 
through the flock — if the afflicted bird or birds be not in 
time removed from amongst their companions. 

Common powder of sulphur (as well as pulverized charcoal) 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 15 

is an admirable ingredient to mix in small quantities with soft 
fowl feed. Say a teaspoonful in the mash for a dozen adult 
birds, in one daily feed for three days at a time. This oper- 
ates as a laxative, and the sulphur works outward through the 
skin-pores — thus assisting to keep the birds' bodies free 
from vermin to a certain extent. Raw onions cut up fine, as an 
occasional " green food," acts similarly upon their system ; and 
is highly beneficial for the purposes above noted. 

Fine sulphur, powdered charcoal, and chopped onions — when 
given discreetly — will each and all be found very serviceable 
to adult birds, especially when inclined to be roupy — as cor- 
rectives, laxatives, and purifiers of the crop and stomach, in 
cold or hot weather. 

Roup attacks fowls of all ages, but generally the younger 
birds and chickens are not so liable to it. It is both chronic 
and acute, and its contaminating influence is remarkable, 
where prompt remedies are neglected. Whole yards have 
been decimated by it, in a few weeks, where the sick birds 
were left to run ad libitum with the healthy fowls. And this 
result has been denominated in certain quarters, undoubtedly, 
by uninformed persons, " an attack of Chicken Cholera " upon 
their premises. 

Roup, therefore, like the mischief occasioned by lice, is but 
little comprehended. None but experienced poultry men 
recognize this baleful disease in its true light, and they learn 
about all its wretched characteristics and difficulties only by 
slow degrees, and after many losses, as well. Its ramifications 
are extensive, and its phases are both curious and threatening, 
if the disease gets a fair foothold in one's runs. 

Catarrh is roup. We are well aware that enlightened Doc- 
tors of medicine assert that these two are different diseases. 
But we are writing about the ails of gallinaceous poultry, and 
not about those of human beings. Men and women are not 
afflicted with roup^ thank Heaven ! but they live a great many 
years, and suffer with catarrh ; while in poultry the symptoms 
of both are identical. And so, as far as our careful observa- 



16 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

tion teaches, we are satisfied that what some learned medical 
men declare to be " catarrh " in fowls, is simply and clearly a 
phase of roup. 

The cure for roup is, at the earliest moment after any of 
the first symptoms described are discovered, to take the af- 
fected fowl away from his or her mates, and nurse it, if it is to 
be " doctored " at all, at a distance from the others. 

Let such sick birds have clean, dry, warm quarters, and if 
not too far advanced, the head and nostrils may be thoroughly 
waslied with Castile soap-suds, and then with weak alum-water, 
or a solution of chlorate of potash, thrice a day. After a day 
or two, bathe the head and nostrils in whiskey, or diluted spir- 
its of camphor — and give a little Cayenne pepper in warm 
cooked mash, for food. A couple of mustard or pulverized gin- 
ger pills, the size of small marbles, in each warm feed, are very 
good. And, as is stated on page 30, the use of Jacob Graves' 
Roup Pills is confidently advised as an excellent remedial, if 
judiciously given. As soon as the bird can see to drink, give 
him Cayenne pepper in the water. All these are warming, 
corrective, and good tonics. A most excellent mixture for a 
daily injection into the throat and nostrils, is a solution of sal- 
soda and another of, chlorinated lime, half and half, put into 
four parts of water. This will remove the morbid deposits 
around the head and beak, and cleanse the disorderd parts. 

Dr. John C. Bennett used to advise the administering of pul- 
verized charcoal, powdered sulphur, and new yeast, — three 
equal parts, in a flour pill the size of a hazel-nut, three times a 
day, for a roupy fowl, — accompanied by the bathing as above. 
But what the fowl most needs is cleanliness, warmth and dry 
quarters for a few days. If the case is not severe, he will re- 
cover. If it is a very bad one — knock the bird on the head 
and bury it. If you have several cases at one time, before you 
take them in hand — take away the healthy birds promptly, 
and apply the above remedies to the rest. And if they are 
worth saving, you will be able with care to restore them, after 
a week's attentive nursing, bathing, and feeding. 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUKE THEM. 17 

In all this doctoring of badly distempered fowls, I commend 
to the attention of those who have the work to do, that they 
handle the diseased birds with leather or thin India-rubber 
gloves — lest from a previous fresh cut upon the fingers, or an. 
open scratch on the hands even, their flesh be innoculated with 
the pus often present upon the bird's foul sores or wounds. 

Several cases are authentically reported, where attendants 
upon horses or cattle, affected with glanders or epizootic dis- 
eases, have thus been seriously injured. And we are personally 
knowing to more than one instance where poultry-keepers, in 
doctoring sick fowls, have contracted a troublesome affection, 
which required weeks of subsequent care to remove from their 
flesh. One person within our knowledge at this writing, is 
suffering with a diseased eye, into which he carelessly rubbed 
the edge of his hand while manipulating some roupy chickens. 
And the humor thus generated may destroy the sight, in his 
case, it is feared. We therefore deem this cautionary sugges- 
tion worthy of particular notice — a hint we have never met 
with yet, in public print.* 

To avoid the presence or assaults of roup in your fowl-flocks, 
we recommend a better " remedy " against this ugly disease 
than the cure thus proposed. This is prevention. 

There is no need whatever that a breeder should be greatly 
troubled with any of the phases of roup. Watchfulness on the 
part of the keeper for its probable appearance in bad weather, 
and immediate action, as soon as the first symptoms appear in 
any one individual bird, will stave off this disease at any time ; 
and it cannot thus become serious. 

But best of all, is so to provide for your stock that they shall 
have good warm shelter, in cold and stormy weather — that 
they may not be huddled together in masses, to poison each 
other with the foul emanations from their bodies, by day or by 
night — that they may have sweet fresh water daily to drink — 
that their food be cleanly and nutritious ; and above all, and over 
all, that they be not exposed to the depredations of devouring 

•Since this was written, the party referred to has nearly lost the sight of his eye. 



18 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

and enervating lice. And thus you will have little or no roup 
among them, of a dangerous or unmanageable character. 

If left to forage for themselves in wet or foul yards and 
malarious grounds, if exposed to cold draughts in the house, 
and raw winds outside, if suffered to waddle and wade in barn- 
yard filth and drink stale, putrid water, if compelled to eat 
foul food, and but little of it — they will not only get lousy but 
roupy, as well ; and you will find that fowl-keeping in this 
loose, improper, inhuman style " don't pay," and it ought 
not to be remunerative, under such conditions and such 
reckless usage. 

But, as we have observed, this " roup " disease is in its in- 
dications and operations both manifold and complicated. And 
hence the various kinds of names that different inexperienced 
persons give to it. Yet it is wholly peculiar to domesticated 
fowls, alone. 

Therefore the cause of the malady must be looked for in the 
conditions which surround the tamed feathered race ; inasmuch 
as no authority has reported an instance where a wild turkey, 
grouse, or prairie hen — a partridge, pheasant, or quail — a 
woodcock, snipe, or teal — a wild goose, duck, or other sea- 
fowl — snared or shot, ever yet was found in its native free 
condition exhibiting any token of this roup about their bodies, 
externally or internally. 

And since this affliction so often falls to the lot of the dilmb 
creatures we attempt to keep around us for profit, (or that 
they may conduce to our pleasure, convenience, or partial sus- 
tenance, it may be) it is but dutiful that we use proper care, 
if we keep them at all, that our poultry is so attended and 
provided for, that the pernicious causes which produce this trouble 
may not be permitted to exist about our farms and poultry 
premises ; when, in such large measure, the evil may so readily 
be kept at a distance. 

By the observance of the suggestions we have already made, 
this prevention of the presence of roup, to any extent, may 
easily be accomplished. And we can guarantee immunity from 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 19 

this curse of the poultry-house, if our hard-earned personal 
knowledge upon this point be accepted as truthful, and adopted 
by the readers of this timely and reasonable advice. 

In no other way can roup, in some or all of its obnoxious 
phases, be kept from infecting your fowl-stock. And how- 
ever easy it may be to the skilled breeder to cure this dis- 
order, when he finds it unfortunately breaking out among his 
flock, the labor of averting the cause of its attacks, is far less 
than the trouble it occasions to eradicate the nuisance — after 
it fairly shows itself on your premises. 

For this good reason, we advise the humane and economi- 
cally disposed fancier to look well to the possible prevention of 
roup in his fowl-houses — rather than to the best way to reme- 
dy the evil, which with due care he may rarely or never be 
annoyed with. 



INDIGESTION, INFLAMMATION, ETC. 

Indigestion in fowls is of two kinds, and operates disas- 
trously upon the crop, the stomach, and the bowels. Undi- 
gested food halting in the crop — whether dry or fluid — 
causes aggravated swelling and distention ; the contents be- 
come hard and cakey, or puffy and watery, as the case may be. 

The disease is sometimes slight and temporary in duration, 
working itself off without inconvenience save through causing 
the bird to fast, by the removal of food from within its reach, 
for a day or so. 

In other and more numerous instances however, the fowl 
becomes " crop-bound," after a while, and the contents of this 
first receptacle for its food grows hard and harder, still swell- 
ing more and more, until it must b.e relieved of the sodden 
load, or the bird will die. 

The process of remedy for this difficulty is simple, but it 
must be deftly and carefully performed. An opening should 
be made by one person, while another holds the bird, by an in- 



20 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

cision in the outer skin of the swelled crop, at the upper side 
— and through this horizontal slit, say two inches long, the 
caked food may be turned out slowly and cautiously, until the 
offensive undigested matter is removed. 

Then, with a sharp fine needle and white silk, (for most 
colored sillc poisons the flesh) the edge of the opening should 
be neatly sewed together again. The relief will be immedi- 
ate. The bird should be fed sparingly for a week after- 
wards, on cooked soft food, allowed but little drink meanwhile, 
and it will commonly recover. AU this (as in other cases of 
chicken-doctoring) is not worth the trouble involved, unlesH 
the diseased fowl be a valuable one. 

Indigestion frequently causes inflammation of the gizzard 
and liver, and the bowels become constipated, in consequence. 
But most commonly it operates quite oppositely, and diarrhoea 
or dysentery is the result. 

In the latter case, the character of the affection is readily 
seen in the frequency and nature of the abdominal discharges. 
White and streaked yellow thin matter is voided. The bird 
rapidly loses flesh, and becomes weak and listless. And in a 
few days the disordered intestines are highly inflamed. 

If attended to seasonably, the progress of the unnatural 
discharges may be without much difficulty arrested ; and the 
fowl comes up again as rapidly as it went down, in spirits and 
strength. The evil may have been occasioned by the indul- 
gence in too much green food, which sours and ferments in 
the crop or stomach, sometimes ; or it may have been caused 
by exposure to wet and cold, or bad dry food, and " damaged" 
corn. 

Change the diet at once, in either case. Give drink spar- 
ingly, and only such as is impregnated with iron tincture, or 
Cayenne pepper. Administer a few grains of dry ground 
rhubarb with as much common black pepper and powdered 
chalk — mixed in mashed boiled rice. This will shortly cure 
the bird, in ordinary cases. We do not advise the use of 
opium (as some do) and have rarely found any benefit from it. 



HOW TO AVOID AND CTJEB THEM. 21 

When the fowl is brought so low as to require this powerful 
astringent — or, on the other hand, to need mercury, or even 
" blue mass " — we have not deemed it worth while to resort 
to these sometimes recommended agencies ; having little faith 
in their efi&cacy, save in extremis. 

Indigestion will cause dysentery, diarrhoea, constipation, 
stomach cramps, swelled crop, loss of appetite, fever, and 
general disorder in the internal functions. Thus, under one 
head we refer to all these, and advise due care in feeding, and 
properly contrived quarters for sheltering fowls, at all seasons, 
as a prevention to this not uncommon malady among poultry. 

The symptoms of this trouble are very plainly exhibited, 
when a domesticated bird is affected by it seriously. There is 
no mistaking the fluid discharges, the straining to void this 
mucous, the rapid decline in their flesh, and the spiritless con- 
dition into which they droop, after a brief term. 

And it wiU be necessary to look to them promptly and ener- 
getically, as soon as the indications mentioned are discovered 
— or they get beyond the reach of doctoring, from the excessive 
internal and intestinal irritation occasioned by this indigestion, 
and their continuously ineffectual exertions to relieve them- 
selves, in the natural way. But this irregularity, like other 
diseases, must not be mistaken for what it is not. 

Inflammation of the egg-sac, or of the oviduct, for instance, 
is a common disease in hens^ especially of the larger varieties — 
Brahmas, Cochins, Dorkings, &c. We all know less of the 
intricacies of this affection, than we do about other poultry 
diseases. Yet it is frequently a serious matter in the yard 
of the fancier, who meets with and does not know how to treat 
it — since its symptoms are often mistaken for some other ail 
for which relief is attempted, but which has no effect upon the 
actually existing trouble. 

A fowl's egg-sac (or oviduct) is a very delicately arranged 
structure, in which are encased the masses of ova, or germs of 
the eggs she lays during her natural existence. These ova are 
very diminutive in size within this sac, and pass out one by one 



22 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

into the oviduct, as they mature — and thence down through 
this egg-passuge — enlarging in yolk as they go. 

When each yolk is nearly full formed, it will have reached 
the 'centre of this canal or tube, where the " white " of the egg 
is created, around outside of it. Then the membrane-linings 
form, (prior to which the yolk is impregnated, if ever) and the 
whole egg passes on to the lower end of the oviduct, near the 
vent — where the hard shell is quickly grown over all. 

This last process is begun and completed in a few hours after 
the soft contents of the natural egg falls into the extreme lower 
end of the oviduct — and the hen shortly discharges her perfect 
hard-shelled egg. 

If inflammation exist in any part of this sensitive and delicate 
portion of the fowl's internal conformation, the disease is serious, 
and her condition becomes critical. " Soft-shelled " eggs are 
laid, in consequence, or malformed yolks are often ejected, 
from this cause. And if early relief be not afforded, the hen 
dies — the owner knows not why. 

The indications of this last mentioned difficulty are a ruffled 
state of the back and rump feathers, and the moping about of 
the sufferer, who will constantly be seen attempting to void 
the obstructions, as if afflicted with dysentery, or diarrhoea. 
If she can successfully extrude all the unformed yolks in the 
oviduct, slie will recover. If not — and most frequently she is 
unable to accomplish this — the inflammation will in a few days 
destroy her. 

If this inflammator}^ difficulty be seasonabl}^ subdued, relief 
is obtained easily. Remove the diseased hen directly from 
association with the male bird ; and for this trouble give a 
dough-pill containing one grain of calomel and a tenth of a 
grain of tartar emetic. It may be necessary to give a second 
similar dose on the following day after the first application. 
The hen will stop laying for a few days — but this treatment 
will usually cure her, by reducing and dissipating the inflam- 
mation in the egg-passage, which is as often occasioned by over 
high feeding, or from taking sudden cold. 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUBE THEM. 23 

Feed such a bird lightly for a week or two subsequently, 
keep her away from the cock, and she will regain her health ; 
unless, in her straining to free herself, she breaks an imperfect 
egg within her. ' In that case, apply the olive oil or castor oil 
injection, as elsewhere in this work advised. But this last 
noted accident most frequently kills the fowl — since the parts 
within have become so irritated by this time, that the egg- 
breaking is commonly fatal ; though not always, with prompt 
and judicious treatment. 

To prevent the occurrence or recurrence of indigestion 
among fowls, a systematic but varied mode of feeding, is both 
important and effective. 

If, when confined, they are fed regularly with soft and hard 
food in variety, alternately, and are supplied with a due mod- 
icum of green food and pounded oyster or clam shells, and 
have constant access to fresh clean water daily — with the 
necessity/ of dry gravel at hand, to assist the process of diges- 
tion, the disease noted will rarely be known among the flocks. 

And when they have a good range (in the warmer seasons) 
instead of being limited to their houses — if similarly fed and 
cared for — they will be especially exempt from "indiges- 
tion," which is a leading cause for the " inflammations," " fe- 
vers," diarrhoea, constipation, swelled crops, etc., we read 
about so frequently. 

It may be well to suggest to the reader, here, that in doctor- 
ing birds for inflammation of the egg-sac, or lower egg-pas- 
sage, care should be taken not to confound this affection 
with other (and lesser) internal troubles — like diarrhoea, dys- 
entery, &c., occasioned by indigestion ; since the treatment 
necessary is quite different, though the early symptoms of 
both disorders are. akin, in outward demonstration. 

Ascertain first, by critical examination, where the existing 
difficulty is seated. Then apply the remedy appropriate to 
the sufferer's relief. A vast deal of fowl-murder is unneces- 
sarily committed through mistaking one malady for another, 



24 DISEASES OP DOilESTIG POULTRY. 

through not knowing whether it be either the one or the other 
A German writer recently declares, after repeated experi- 
mental examinations, that indigestion will often cause the mal- 
formation or depression of the breast-bone in chickens, acting 
from the interior ; and he advises the free use of bone-meal in 
their early feeding. A good suggestion this. 



CHRONIC RHEUMATISM, VERTIGO, ETC. 

These maladies result almost invariably in the first place 
from undue exposure, and through neglectful treatment of the 
breeding fowls, in somebody's hands. Birds that are not fur- 
nished with warm roosting-places in the cold dreary fall and 
winter nights, or that are left to storm and wet and rain in 
springtime, when the weather is rough and boisterous, will 
always be troubled more or less with " chronic " rheumatics, 
lameness, vertigo, dizziness, sore throat,' frozen limbs and 
combs, swelled head, etc., etc. 

But all this sort of complaint is unnatural to the fowls, and 
is owing to no fault on their part. Chronic rheumatics and 
vertigo are inherited, mostly. Fowls afflicted with this infirm- 
ity, or which are kept in the inhuman manner that causes it, 
are not fit for breeding ; and their " constitutional ills " are 
not only incurable, but it is not worth the cost to attempt to 
remedy such evils. 

If they live at all, they are of little account, since they are 
always "ailing," are never fit for marketing, even, the hens lay 
few eggs, and altogether they are so useless as to warrant the 
complaint on the part of their owners that they " cannot see 
where the profit is in raising domestic fowls ! " 

Of this description of stock the above assumption is quite 
truthful. Yet those who are so unfortunate as to possess such 
birds, are answerable for their sad condition, largely. And the 
sooner si^ch " breeders " relinquish the occupation, and consign 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUEE THEM. 25 

their wretched invalid fowls to final shelter beneath the dung- 
hill, or compost heap, the better for the birds, and for their own 
pecuniary interests. 

We have seen more than one such flock of miserable bipeds, 
but we never owned any of this description ; and our expe- 
rience has afforded us no special information for their farther 
consideration. 

A limping, halting, rheumatic cock, is a most useless and 
unsightly object around the fowl-runs, and should never be 
tolerated. His progeny come deformed, and the chickens 
raised from hens thus afflicted, are in the main but worthless, 
comparatively. 

Attacks of vertigo, and sudden temporary dizziness in good 
fowls, occasionally occur, from high feeding — and apoplexy is 
thus brought about. But there is no known specific, that we 
are aware of, to remedy this last named evil — except to avoid 
over-feeding ; which is quite as bad a practice as is starving 
one's fowls. 

A bird may be struck by lightning. There is no known cure 
for this ! And death from apoplexy is about as certain ; while 
either assault is equally as " incurable " after the stroke. 

FOWL "CHOLERA." 

This is comparatively a new disease, in this country — or a 
new name originated for a very seriously destructive malady- 
current in the Western and Southern States chiefly, that has 
baffled the skill of hen-doctors and poultry men generally, for a 
few years past. 

We none of us know much about this disorder. Even those 
who have written directly upon its cause, as a specialty, admit 
that " the name is a misnomer ; " and despite all their direct 
researches in the regions where this epidemic has prevailed, 
they have found out very little about it that is of a satisfactory 



26 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

or conclusive nature — whether as regards its true cause, or 
pointing to a remedy against its recurrence. 

From all we have seen and what we have read on the subject 
however, we have formed an opinion upon this ailment ; and we 
will briefly state our views about what is denominated " chicken 
cholera, uowada3's." 

It is a curious complaint, which we in New England have 
had little experience with, except in its mildest and manageable 
form. The symptoms are those analogous to a sudden attack 
of violent diarrhoea ; preceded by lassitude, sluggish move- 
ments, early prostration, and a general inertness in the victim 
assailed. 

After death, which ensues in a brief space of time succeed- 
ing the attack and rapid sinking of the fowl into semi-uncon- 
sciousness, the liver is found to be swollen and flabby, the 
crop distended, the stomach foul, the gizzard filled with dried 
food, and the entrails are inflamed. 

There is previous to death, a sharp diarrhcea wasting the life 
out of the bird, which ordinary treatment does not appear to 
affect or check, at all. And from these indications and symp- 
toms, (which are not unlike some of those attending the Asi- 
atic scourge in man) this disease has been denominated cholera. 

Mr. W. H. Todd, the noted Western breeder, has had some 
experience with this fowl trouble, and he thinks that much of 
what is termed cholera, is something else. 

He has once or twice fancied that his flocks had a touch of 
a disease akin to the reputed "fowl-cholera." But he checked 
this (whatever it was) by the free use of carbolic acid disin- 
fectants, and subsequently by thoroughly purifying his heii 
houses by fumigation. 

Desperate diseases demand the application of desperate rem- 
edies, we read. And in several instances where the premoni- 
tory symptoms have thus shown themselves, the alarmed own- 
ers of the menaced fowls have administered calomel and blue 
mass — in two-grain doses, or four grains of blue mass mixed 
with two grains each of gum camphor and Cayenne pepper — 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUBE THEM. 27 

say twice a day. This we should say would either kill or 
cure, certainly ! 

In the cases referred to, the experiment proved fortunately 
successful ; albeit the owners acknowledge that they were not 
positive that the threatened disease " was really cholera^ or 
something similar." 

It has proved quite contagious, nevertheless, in certain dis- 
tricts. And yet it is clearly of a typhoid dysenteric charac- 
ter, from the outset. The remedial treatment thus far experi- 
mented with has not been encouragingly successful, inasmuch 
as most of those who have suffered from its presence amongst 
their stock, have acquired no knowledge of its cause, or what 
mode is best to adopt as a curative. 

Meanwhile, the malady is of so violent a character, that 
when it comes upon their premises, their birds die by scores, 
before they can decide what is the real difficulty, or how they 
may contrive to relieve them. 

We have no doubt that bad locations have much to do with 
this trouble. And we seriously opine that if seen to at once 
in most places, and (as in Todd's case) treated vigorously — 
as for malignmit dysentery ^ or inflamed dlarrhcea, the birds may 
be saved, in many instances. 

But — as in all other cases of fowl disease, which we have 
herein noted — we claim that if the chicken-premises are kept 
uniformly cleanly and sweet, if the hen-houses are not over- 
crowded and are daily well ventilated, if the stock is fed ju- 
diciously with sound and varied food, if the poultry is kept 
free from lice, and are housed comfortably in cold and bad 
weather, and pure fresh water is furnished them, always — 
there will be little or no " chicken cholera " about. 

Dr. A. M. Dickie, of Penn'a., who writes very cleverly upon 
this subject, but who, like most scientific writers inclines to go 
so deep down into professional technicalities as to mar the use- 
fulness of his papers to the general reader, communicates a 
theory to the Hartford Poultry World that this " chicken 
cholera is a blood disease." 



28 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

The editor of this popular magazine commends this article by 
Dr. D., but takes the ground that it is quite immaterial what 
the real character of the malady is, if we can find a remedy for 
it, that is practical and efficient. The editor observes 

"Although there is, p7'ima facie,, a seeming variance of opinion 
in this communication, on Dr. D's part, as compared with our 
previous editorials on this subject, still our learned correspond- 
ent agrees with us almost to a dot, for he admits in the opening 
paragraphs that when we say " we think this disease is zymotic 
in character, this view is undoubtedly correct." 

"What the real pathological cause may be, is unknown," con- 
tinues Dr. D. (and we have very explicitly stated this same 
thing, in other words). But the Doctor adds : " The essential 
morbihc substance of a miasm is entirely unknown to science, 
as yet." It '"'•may consist of infusoria^'' (as we suggested origin- 
ally), concludes the Doctor ; " but that is a matter of conjec- 
ture rather than of demonstration." 

Now we have neither the space to spare for it, nor the in- 
clination, to enter into a lengthy argument or dissertation 
about technical phrases and medical terms. The great trouble 
with our " largely educated men " (and the medical fraternity 
is especially open to this criticism) is, that they are all too pe- 
dantic and too profound in their elaborate writings upon the sim- 
ple topic of fowl diseases, for the comprehension and benefit of 
the every-day reader of a poultrj' paper ; and they do not seem 
to be aware of the fact that the average chicken-raiser does not 
appreciate their elongated, long-drawn, technical descriptions 
of " diagnoses," "miasms," "morbific substances," "catalyses," 
etc. 

To arrive at the plain conclusion reached by Dr. D., which 
we candidly think differs scarcely at all from our own more 
briefly-expressed views, the writer has skilfully and with 
great show of erudition, we admit, stated only just what we 
have previously set forth about Chicken Cholera. We said, 
briefly, we thought it zymotic in character. The Doctor says 
this is correct. We said that filthy, over-crowded premises, 
foul water, bad ventilation, neglect of the stock, and poorly pro- 
vided quarters or food for poultry, helped largely to produce 
what is called " Poultry Cholera." The Doctor says only the 
same thing, in half a dozen long paragraphs. 

It may be " blood poisoning," as Dr. D. suggests. We did 
not assert that it was not. Indeed, we think it quite imma- 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 29 

terial whether it be a blood, muscle, intestine, flesh, mucous 
membrane, bowel, stomachic or brain affection. All, or any of 
these diseases in fowls may be occasioned by, or originate 
through, zymotic influences. The blood may thus be "pois- 
oned." And though it is quite possible (as we all admit) that 
its actual '' pathological condition is not known," yet, as Dr. 
D. clearly states, it has its origin "in a special miasm," which, 
by inhalation, produces, etc. 

This is precisely what we affirmed. And, through inhala- 
tion, imperceptible infusoria may be taken into the lungs, and 
thus into and through the system, " producing fermentive 
action," as we believe. Now, what we want. Doctor, is a 
clearly-proposed remedy for this trouble, set down in plain 
terms. 

We will only add that Dr. D. has evidently not availed 
himself of a knowledge of the certainly demonstrated fact 
(within the last ten years), promulgated by German, French 
and Italian savans, that microscopic growths, either vegetable 
or animal, are positively known to produce epidemics — such 
as cholera, dyphtheria, scarlatina, epizootic affections, etc. And 
we know of more than one American scientist who has also 
demonstrated this." 

Here we opine is the gist of the thing, so far as the prime 
cause is involved. Our fowls are poisoned " by a special 
miasm," and this miasm exists in some virulent and perhaps 
concealed form, contiguous to the premises — in the grounds, 
in the immediate neighborhood, amongst their food, etc. And 
this cause must somehow be removed froin the vicinities, or 
from the premises, where the fowls are thus fatally affected by 
its presence. 

It is very certain that this malad}"- or distemper — from what- 
ever cause it originated — is choleratic in its action, its symp- 
toms, its violence, and its fatality. Thousands of good fowls 
have been swept away by it, in the West and South. Poultry 
men there are alarmed at it ; and as in the time when the 
"swine cholera" was familiarly epidemic, the chicken breeders 
have now become very cautious about the food and feeding of 
their flocks, and more latterly the disease is not so prevalent. 

If we have had this distemper present in New England at 



30 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

all, it has not been of a serious character. It may be that our 
climate here favors us in this respect. But all the complaints 
that reach us, come from the west and south — and there this 
plague has been very troublesome and severe. 

We are not unmindful that in the past two or three years 
we have had in New England many fatal cases from an internal 
disorder among poultry-stock quite analogous in some of its 
symptoms to this western so-called " cholera." But wherever 
our attention has been called to this illness, we have upon 
examination found the ailment to be a phase of slow fever, at 
first, and subsequent virulent diarrhoea. 

In these instances, the birds have have gone down gradually, 
but constantly, in condition, for weeks from the beginning. 
Up to within a few days or hours before death, they have eaten 
well, but have drank often — evincing continual thirst. Then 
diarrhoea has set in sharply, and they have expired. I consider 
this clearly a phase of dysenteric roup — and for this only 
should I treat the affection, if it should exhibit its symptoms in 
my runs. Various " Mixtures " are offered as correctives for 
this disorder. I thiuk the German, and Crraves' Roup Pills, 
very good palliatives. The latter are highly commended by 
H. A. Shorey, Wm. E. Shedd, Geo. F. Seavy, C. W. Cham- 
berlain and others, who have used them with excellent results. 

But there exists some local natural cause for this wholesale 
destruction of domestic birds in certain districts, unquestion- 
ably. This malady is largely fatal in its work, and in the '^vest 
it is clearly of a destructive character. It is said by those who 
have examined diseased yards, that the cause has been found 
to have been generated in the place or its immediate vicinity 
(in several cases) where the trouble was most fatally severe. 
And this ruin was occasioned by the miasmatic, putrid, filthy 
condition of the soil (and neighborhood) where these fowls had 
long been kept. 

In the hospitals, diseases known as small pox, virulent 
typhoids, yellow fever, etc., are known at times to spread among 
patients not hitherto thus afflicted — from the foul emanations 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUBE THEM. 31 

that exude from the actual fever subjects, when crowded into 
such places through sudden emergency. 

So it probably operates with this " chicken cholera," when it 
once starts in a flock ; and from the putrid emanations issuing 
from the early affected birds — particularly if crowded in large 
numbers together — the disease is swiftly communicated to 
others, until the whole are sickened, seriously or fatally. 

Take half a dozen well fowls at sunset, and shut them up 
(in any season) in a clean, dry room, as large as fifteen by 
twenty feet. Leave them there without any ventilating open- 
ing in the apartment over one night, and visit the enclosure 
personally next morning. If you are able to remain in that 
room with those birds three minutes, with the door and win- 
dows still closed tightly, you have a more muscular and less 
sensitive stomach than the average of humans. 

The stench from the bodies of these half dozen well fowls is 
sickening. How much more imperative is it, then, that the 
quarters of sick fowls should be well ventilated, especially ? 
And how necessary to the benefit of any poultry, sick or well, 
must be a circulation of fresh*, purifying air, and the ample 
ventilation of their houses ? 

Now, the cause for the generation of malignant disease 
should not be suffered to exist at all. Fowls cannot be kept 
in or upon such infected disordered foul spots. And the rem- 
edy — to begin with — must be to remove the living stock 
beyond the baleful influence of such miasmatic death-districts, 
or apartments, or else remove the putridity, filth, and poison- 
ous deposits (whatever they may be) from the fowl premises, 
and their neighborhood. 

It has been costly work for some American breeders — as 
we know — to fight this enemy ! And the end is not yet, by 
any means, unfortunately — although in some quarters, this 
plague has come to be partially manageable. 

The trouble is no doubt brought about, in the first instance, 
from the exposure of the stock to infested, swampy, or foul 



32 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

grounds and runs — or by keeping the birds in contiguity to 
such miasmatic or befouled premises. 

This disorder exhibits many of the symptoms which are 
premonitory in human beings afflicted with mahirial cachexia — 
such as a paling and salldwness in the features, loss of flesh 
and condition, rapid diminution of muscular strength, general 
nervous lassitude and prostration, and the liability at any hour 
to sink suddenly under any incidental disease that may assail 
the subject, at such a time. 

The approved remedy for this affliction to humanity^ is, the 
removal of the patient entirely from the vicinity where the af- 
fection originates, to a purer atmosphere, and uncontaminated 
soil. And, subsequently, to restore the stricken bodily sys- 
tem through wise treatment, good food, and sustaining tonics. 

A similar method would in our judgment unquestionably re- 
cruit a body of domestic fowls — but the suggested remedy 
should be seasonably applied. And the sooner this change is 
made, upon discovering the above noted choleratic or malarial 
symptoms, the greater the proportion of birds will be likely to 
be saved from death, after being attacked by this " chicken 
cholera." 

All we can add on this topic is that loe never had any of this 
disease show itself in our yards — and we sincerely trust we 
never may become personally acquainted with its shocking 
results. 

If we should find it breaking out in our runs, we should di- 
rectly apply the remedies we have suggested for aggravated dys- 
entery. But so long as fowls are housed and kept and shel- 
tered and fed as we have long been in the habit of attending 
to ours, we do not fear any of these disastrous visitations, 
among our flocks. 

We reiterate the convictions — impressed upon us during 
long years of practical trial and experience in this business — 
that cleanliness in the fowl houses, dry soil in the runs, pure 
air and plenty of it, proper ventilation at all seasons, good 
varied food, attentive care, fresh untainted water, absolute 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUBE THEM. 33 

exemption from vermin, and a love of the occupation, are the 
requisites towards breeding poultry advantageously ; and these 
comprise the necessities for keeping them in good health, and 
continuous thrift. 

With these — disease is kept at bay. Without all these re- 
quirements, poultry can not be kept profitably, or healthily. 
And we do not doubt if those who have been so sorely troubled 
with what is denominated *' Fowl Cholera," should adopt a 
strict regimen of cleanliness, thorough ventilation, and good 
care for their stock, that they would experience a change for 
the better among their poultry, at once ; and have little cause 
to fear this had-named disease among their flocks, in the 
future. 

ACCIDENTAL MALADIES. 

Under this head we include many of the nominal " diseases " 
of fowls — as set down in the categories of the poultry books 
— to wit : — Apoplexy, heart disease, rheumatism, neuralgia, 
deformities, frozen combs and feet, feather-eating, egg-devour- 
ing, wounds from fighting, temporary blindness, loss of plumage, 
colds, common fevers, paralysis of limbs, the "pip," "gapes," 
costiveness, discolored comb, bumble-foot, scaly legs, etc. 

The above enumerated ills are more or less common in a mild 
form among domestic gallinaceous fowls at all seasons of the 
year. But these evils are incidental, or accidental in great part, 
to poultry life. Some of these affections are not discoverable 
by or explicable to the novice or amateur ; and it is only the 
experienced breeder who detects the real character of some 
others of these difficulties, bad habits, misfortunes, or accidents. 

Acute rheumatics, sprains, neuralgia, paralysis of the legs, 
colds, coughs, and occasional temporary loss of vision (by the 
closing up of one or both eyes) are simply local diseases, brought 
ubout by local and removable causes. With any of these 



34 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

troubles, fowls are usually not sick a great •while at a time. 
Lameness, or " breaking down " in the legs from apparent 
partial paralysis, is the most serious of all these accidental 
difficulties. 

If this proceeds from an affection of the spinal cord (as is 
sometimes the case) it is incurable ; though a fowl may live for 
weeks or months after the attack — helpless as to locomotion 
comparatively, but otherwise in good health. 

If it occurs from a sudden contraction in the leg-muscles, or 
tendons, it will be only temporary, oftentimes — and the bird 
may recover by being placed upon a soft, straw-covered floor, 
in a warm sunny place, and fed lightly with nourishing dry 
food, for a week or two. 

If the loss of the use of the limbs (as in very loug-legged 
cocks, frequently) is occasioned by a cracking of the skin and 
flesh on the inside of the hock-joint — a common plaster of fir- 
balsam bound tightly around the upper shank-joint, at the sore 
spot, will ordinarily heal up the wound, and set the bird on 
his feet again, in a little while. In this kind of case, the earlier 
the break is attended to, after you first observe your fowl to be 
weakening, drooping, and squatting upon his haunches around 
the yard — the less time it will take to cure the opening, and 
heal up this accidental cracking of the flesh. 

Neuralgic affections are similar to the rheumatic, and these 
are terms used synonymously among technical poultry men. 
The nerves rather than the limbs are affected by this disease. 
It is not a common complaint, however, and little is known of, 
or about it. 

Deformities — such as hump-back, knock-knees, wry-tail, 
imperfect comb or wattles (of their kind) twisted wing-joints 
or turned wing-coverts, crooked toes or feet, etc., are gener- 
ally hereditary incidents in poultry breeding. Sometimes 
these defects come from careless mating, or through breeding 
in-and-in too long ; that is, from tlie same family of stock upon 
its descendants — or with its progenitors. The only remedy 
for these " accidents " is to avoid the use of such deformed 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUEE THEM. 35 

birds for purposes of reproduction of tlie species. A boiled 
or roasted cock is not likely to transmit his imperfections to 
posterity, if this is the only (and best) use that is made of his 
carcass. 

Eggs are sometimes, when ready to be laid, accidentally 
broken in the abdomen of hens. If the fowl be strong, and in 
good condition at such a time, the disaster may be repaired. 
A teaspoonful of castor-oil by injection, will work the wreck 
away, in a single night. But this misfortune frequently 
proves fatal, nevertheless. 

Other hens — especially fat old Cochins and Brahmas, will 
" break down behind," occasionally, from this same cause ; or 
on account of their gross adipose condition, oftenest. They 
will then waddle about upon their haunches and stern, with 
their bodies erect, like that of a Penguin, naturally. But 
they rarely recover from this condition, to be useful after- 
wards. We have tried numerous experiments with this sort 
of accident, with but slight success. 

Frozen combs, feet, or frosted wattles — and white or black 
comb (so designated from its different colors at times), are 
occasioned by exposure in the night to severe chilly winter air, 
as a general thing. With the class of birds wearing thin up- 
right high combs, this trouble is common in New England and 
the North, in our sharp cold winters. In these instances of 
" frost-bites," the wound may be cured by placing the comb or 
wattles in cold water, or by bathing the affected parts with 
fresh clean snow thoroughly, first — then by washing in cam- 
phorated spirit, thoroughly. After this, bathe in sweet oil, 
and press the latter into the pores of the comb or gills — over 
and around the frost marks. Except in very severe cases, this 
treatment will effect a cure. In any instance, the saving of 
a goodly portion of the comb and wattles may be assured. 
This remedy should be repeated two or three days, succes- 
sively, for frost-bites, and the hen-house should be looked to, 
directly — and all crevices or cracks sealed up, to exclude the 



36 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

night frosts. These accidents very rarely occur during the 
day and in sunlight. 

" White comb " and " black comb " (so denominated, spe- 
cifically), are often confounded with frost attacks in the cold 
season. But these two accidents are as common in warm as 
in cold weather : and, though similar in appearance at first, are 
of another character in reality. These affections are claimed 
by some writers as " a disease to which the Cochins, (Shang- 
hais) are constitutionally subject." 

Now we have received direct from Canton, Shanghai, and 
Whampoa, several different clutches of pure China fowls, in 
our time ; and we have bred them separately and together year 
after year, for many years. But we never encountered or dis- 
covered this " constitutional " impediment cropping out in a 
single instance among the imported birds. We set this asser- 
tion down therefore as a mere whim. In addition to our own 
Chinese iuiporctitions, we have largely bred the imported 
Forbes, Marsh, Brown, Drake, Cushing, Kerr, Palmer and 
Cope Cochins, also ; and with the originals, we never saw a 
case of black or white comb disease, (except from frost-bite), 
among them all. 

In later experience, however, — with the progeny of some 
of this stock — and among the Dorkings, the Malays, the 
Javas, and lesser-sized fowls, we have met with and known of 
this " disease " in many instances, as making its appearance in 
small white (or dark) specks or fine scales, upon cocks' combs 
— and forming at length a rough flat scabby sore ; which, if 
not removed, will increase to the neck, and down the fowl's 
breast — rotting awa)'" the feathers, as mange destroys the hair 
of dogs. It is a cuticle affection, nevertheless, and in our 
judgment altogether "accidental" in character. It maybe 
cured by the application of a salve made of cocoanut and 
tumeric — one part tumeric powder to four parts cocoanut oil. 
These make a yellow ointment, and if rubbed on the affected 
spots half a dozen times, every other day, will heal and cure. 
"Loss of plumage" may frequently be accounted for by the 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 37 

presence of this affection in an advanced state — and this con- 
dition is sometimes mistaken for ordinary moulting. 

Feather-eating, and egg-eating, by fowls, are bad habits^ but 
are not a " disease." For the first complaint, the birds should 
be kept occupied, when cooped in confinement and compelled 
to huddle together closely, for lack of spacious home quarters. 
Strew the house-floor thickly with dry leaves, or short-cut 
straw ; and into this scatter their daily allowance of dry grain- 
food — oats, barley, broken corn, &c. They will scratch for 
it, to the last kernel ; and thus have no leisure to pluck the 
feathers from the necks and sides of their otherwise listless 
companions. 

To prevent egg-eating, give them darh nests to lay in, in 
secluded corners or passages, where they cannot see their eggs, 
when dropped. They will soon forget this destructive kind 
of trick. 

Wounds occasioned by frost, from fighting, or other acci- 
dental causes, may be healed up speedily with a wash of car- 
bolic, or castile soap-suds, and then with rum or whiskey, 
alternately, for a few days. Olive oil as a final ointment for 
cuts and flesh contusions, is very healing and effective — and 
for ordinary inflamed eyes and head, a wash of weak white 
vitriol, or alum water, or alum and camphor combined, is 
excellent. 

" Bumble-foot," tumors upon the thighs, abscesses, and 
unnatural enlargement of the tendons or limb-muscles, are all 
local and accidental difficulties. 

Bumble-foot is caused by bruising the sole ; and occurs with 
heavy fowls that roost too high up, and come clumsily to the 
hard floor or earth, in descending from their perches. It may 
be dissipated, if discovered in season, by active friction and 
rubbing with strong liniment. If not, it will grow to an abscess, 
which must be opened to the core, and healed up thoroughly 
afterwards, to save the fowl. But this occasional affliction is 
hardly worth the trouble it costs to cure it j and it can only be 



88 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

remedied so as to restore the afflicted bird to subsequent use- 
fulness, by seasonable treatment. 

Rupture of the oviduct, or egg-passage, and enlargement of 
the lower intestines — either of which cause old fat hens of 
the heavier varieties to " break down behind " frequently, is a 
difficulty known in the experience of most poultry breeders. 
As "we have elsewhere hinted, this is a vexatious affliction, 
where the hen is a good one, or a favorite — and it is hard to 
manage it successfully, toward restoration. 

The difficulty may be alleviated, but it can scarcely be 
cured ; since the occasion of the bagging down of the abdom- 
inal extremity of the bird is a gradual falling of the over- 
grown and over-fattened interior, which from its excessive 
weight and enlargement distends the parts outside of the 
cloaca, unnaturally ; from which distension it rarely, if ever, 
contracts to its original shape again. 

The remedy for relief in this case, is, to place the fowl at 
once upon extreme low diet ; and first to starve off and reduce, 
if possible, the excessive overgrowth of internal fat, which has 
filled up the lower abdomen. After a few weeks, the hen will 
resume her wonted uprightness in gait and appearance, and 
may come round all right again. 

If the cause of her breaking down is not. this kind of inter- 
nal rupture, but proceeds from the accidental breaking of an 
egg, inwardly — as is often the case — though the outward in- 
dications may be similar, the treatment for this last mentioned 
trouble is alluded to in another place. The two difficulties 
are quite different, in reality, and require altogether different 
management. 

We often see fowls, particularly half-grown birds, that slug- 
gishly mope about, seek the sun's rays, close their eyes dream- 
ily and half open the bill, at every breath they breathe. 
Otherwise they seem well, and in fair condition. Look to the 
birds directly, that exhibit these symptoms. If concealed ver- 
min he not at work upon their skin and flesh — these indica- 
tions are tokens of an approaching attack of roup. 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUBE THEM. 39 

Remove such bird or birds at once from the rest. Give the 
mustard or ginger and rhubarb pills, for a day or two. Allow 
them, for three or four days to drink no water that has not a 
dash of Tincture of Iron, or Cayenne pepper in it. Feed low 
for a week, keep them dry and warm — and they will recover. 

There is a disease of not uncommon occurrence among the 
Asiatic varieties of fowls, that has baf&ed the wits of most 
experts and breeders of the larger species — the symptoms of 
which are not unlike those which present themselves under 
roupy conditions. 

The affected bird (oftenest a male fowl) will begin to show 
this affection by the usual drooping and indolent disposition. 
He will wander and mope about the house or run, and peck 
his feathers^ continually — as if he were beset with vermin, or 
as if his skin and flesh were itchy, or irritated, in some way. 

The appetite does not at first seem to be affected, but he be- 
comes useless to his mates, and is inclined to shun them. His 
flesh is feverish and hot to the touch, and he is restless and 
constantly striving to alleviate the annoyance, by thrusting his 
bill.actively through his plumage, from breast to rump. 

This I believe to be a cuticle affection, in'duced from internal 
causes, and resulting from dry feeding, constantly. An excess 
of whole corn as a daily feed, will produce this ; and where 
poultry-keepers find it " too troublesome " (as some do) to 
give their birds varied and cooked diet — with a regular allow- 
ance of vegetable or green food, their year-old fowls will fre- 
quently show this ail. Unjess the trouble is understood, and a 
change in their regimen is adopted, they will worry and pick 
and harass themselves to death. 

I have seen several instances of this kind, and I have 
recommended physicking, directly. Give a teaspoonful of 
castor-oil, and a pinch of powdered rhubarb, in cooked soft 
feed, with sulphur pills every other day, in alternation for one 
week. Allow the sick bird no dry feed (especially corn) in 
the meantime. Place him if convenient, upon a clean grass 
run, and let him have no drinking water except such as is im- 



40 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTEY. 

pieguated with Cayenne pepper, or asafcetida. In ten days — 
if taken seasonably — I have never known a case where the 
bird did not fully recover. If the grass run can not be had, 
feed chopped onions and cabbage (raw) daily, for green food, 
and once a day give a meal of boiled rice; and he will do 
nicely. 

The common habit in vogue of feeding dry com to fowls, as 
a staple allowance, is a great mistake. For laying hens, such 
feed is almost as useless as pine chips would be, so far as as- 
sisting them in the production of eggs. For growing birds it 
is also unnecessary, and by no means economical. " Dam- 
aged" corn thus used by many chicken-raisers, is worse than 
the good merchantable article. But whole corn — as a chief 
feed to old or young poultry, of either sex — is next to worth- 
less. This grain should never be used in excess, at all, and 
three-fourths of all of it that is fed to your birds, ought first 
to be cooked. 

An evening feed of cracked (or crushed) corn, is advisable. 
When you are fattening fowls, for slaughtering, cooked corn 
meal and vegetables, half and half, is the thing. At all other 
times, feed but scantily of this grain — unless you wish to ren- 
der them inwardly fat, and stop your hens from laying well. 
This error in feeding causes fever, indigestion, constipation, and 
skin eruptions. It is too heating, too dry, too clogging — by 
itself. And the system of varied food, daily, with but a fourth 
or a fifth of corn, in any shape, is by far the most nourishing, 
the most satisfying, and the most economical as to prime cost. 
We seriously recommend this advice to all who have never tried 
our plan, because we know from experience, oft-repeated practi- 
cally, precisely what results from this method. 

In former times, the common name given to almost all the 
ails to which domestic fowls were subject, was jjip. If a bird 
sneezed, or breathed with difficulty, his owner declared at once 
" he's got the pip ! " If the chicken got lousy, or failed in 
health and appetite, " that bird's got the pip," was the usual 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 41 

announcement. And so, whatever happened among the fowls, 
it was " the pip." * 

The silly plan adopted by novices in certain quarters, of 
clipping the end of the tongue of chickens thus affected, is not 
so commonly in use, in this enlightened day, as formerly. This 
is not of the slightest utility, and it is brutal, as well. The 
scaly appearance of the tongue is but symptomatic — and has 
no reference to the disease itself. This dryness disappears, or 
sloughs off, usually, as the bird recovers, and the fever in the 
throat and gullet abates. A bit of garlic given daily, the size 
of a common pill, three or four times, will help the birds. And 
a low diet for a week will complete a cure, in ordinary cases. 

For the pip is simply a phase of roup, as we have elsewhere 
stated. If the bird thus affected be examined, his nostrils will 
be found closed, his throat and tongue is dry, and oftentimes a 
scaly hardness forms upon the tip or upper surface of the 
tongue. The fowl snips, or pips, in its attempt to cough or 
throw off this dry substance. And it is said that when the scale 
is removed from the tongue, the bird recovers. 

This is simply incidental to his cure. Many birds do not 
show this very hard scaly substance on the tongue, when suffer- 
ing from " pip " — and still they pip and sneeze, or cough and 
gape, precisely as do the others. 

It is roup. And for that disease only should they be doctored, 
if doctored at all. It is not a serious matter, if taken in hand 
in time. Nor are any ot the roup phases unmanageable, if we 
go about attempting their cure in good season. Here is where 
we mostly fail. And once more I recommend that watchfulness 
for the approach of this affection, in any of its various forms, be 
carefully and constantly kept up, towards a prevention of its 
prevalence. 

" Scaly leg " is a disorder very unsightly, and afflicts old 
fowls, chiefly. The disease appears upon the surface of the 
shanks, forms slowly, and is altogether parasitical. If permit- 
ted to mature, it grows into rough, greyish-white bunches, and 
terminates in sores. 



42 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

To cure it, take it early, and wash the limbs in warm whale 
oil or carbolic soap-suds thoroughly, first. Then apply sulphui 
powder mixed with lard, as a salve, for two or three days. 
Then cleanse, and finish with kerosene, rubbed on with a coarse 
flannel. The infinitessemal insects are thus destroyed, and the 
trouble disappears. 

Asthma, (so denominated by some writers) is a phase of roup ; 
which disease we have already described. This is simply 
another name for this common affection — aud will be relieved 
by the treatment we have suggested. 

Gout — which affects only old fowls — is not uncommon to 
such birds as have been indulged in high feed ; or those that 
are forced up to heavy weights annually, for the show-pens. 
When the birds become gouty^ there is no difficulty in discov- 
ering the fact. And as they do not attain to that " aristo- 
cratic " disease until they have outlived their usefulness to 
themselves or their owners, the sooner they are slaughtered 
the better for them and their keepers. 

Moulting, or the annual feather-shedding of all birds, is de- 
scribed by some authors as a " disease," also. This is but a 
natural occurrence. Fowls are not " in condition " at this 
period, but they are not sick — in the true interpretation, at 
such times. They need better care, just then, nevertheless, 
since this is a critical transition ; and good two or three-year 
old hens, kept for breeding stock, should be especially looked 
after, judiciously fed, kept away from the annoyance of the 
males, and they will generally pass through their moulting 
safely. 

For ordinary feverishness, costiveness, and apparent low 
condition — a change of diet, with fresh green food, and clean 
quarters, gives relief. The " pip " and the " gapes " are not 
very common, nowadays, and are never serious complaints. 
These are but " incidental," to chicks, and will usually take 
care of themselves, if the birds have a good range, and fair at- 
tention to their daily wants, otherwise. 

Both these latter affections come from neglect in their care, 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUEE THEM. 43 

from free access to rotten dung heaps, and by housing in damp 
barn-cellars or cheerless houses, as a general thing. And 
upon these points of poor management we have spoken very 
explicitly in these pages. 

" Gapes " in chickens is an affection sometimes produced by 
the generation of small prickly worms in the throat of young 
birds. Not always, however. This is occasioned by foul feed- 
ing and damp quarters, again. The parasite matures into a 
worm in the gullet and bronchial tubes, and annoys the af- 
flicted chick, excessively. 

It has been argued by some — with considerable show of 
reason, that these worms originate from the eggs of a peculiar 
kind of louse that infests the bodies of domestic birds, at 
times, and which enters through the nostrils and deposits the 
larvae that produces the " gape-worm," eventnally. 

We would not from choice attempt a cure for this, ordina- 
rily — since the methods advised are more troublesome than 
young fowls thus diseased are usually worth. But " gapes " 
are not now nowadays much heard of among fowl breeders. 

The worms which cause this " gaping " demonstration in 
fowl, are in the throat, and must be removed — if the evil is 
expected to be cured. When the discovery of this pest is 
made, give the bird cracked corn and oats or barley soaked in 
spirits of turpentine, for one short feed, two or three days in 
succession. 

This will surely kill the worms — though it may sometimes 
kill the fowl, if overdosed with it, as in instances reported not 
infrequently, where this or some equally powerful medicinal 
agent is made use of in excess to " cure " sick birds, by inex- 
perienced hands. 

For example, a man writes in a late poultry paper that if 
you wish to cure " gapes " in chickens, " dissolve in water as 
much soda as it will soak up ; and then stir in your meal dough 
&c., until it is thick enough — and give your chickens all they 
will eat. This is a sure cure," he concludes ! 

Well, let us see how this operated with a novice soon after- 



44 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

wards, who tried it, and reported thus; — " I attempted the 
remedy, and 1 believe it is worse than the disease ! An hour 
after feeding with this mixture, I found six out of ten chick- 
ens lying stretched out, with their claws closed tight, and legs 
perfectly stiff. I thought my Light Brahmas were all killed 
by this dose. But I bled some, held others under a stream of 
cold water, and finally got them out of their cramjjs. But 
they were no better of their gapes. Will you now give me a 
remedy to cure this as well as the other ? " 

This reminds me of a similar case within my own experi- 
ence, which occurred some years ago. A man wrote me — 
*' My fowls had got the sore head (roup) . I went to the 
poletry books, and they said give 'em tuppentine and onions 
and brandy ; that'll cure 'em. And so I did — an' it killed 
ev'ry one on 'em deader 'n thunder, that very night ! " 

But the gapes in chickens may occur without the presence 
of the aforesaid worms, at all. This gaping is seen fre- 
quently when the young birds have the " pip," as it is termed. 
If we are disposed to go to the trouble, a quill-feather stripped 
of all but a third of its softest down, dipped in kerosene, and 
then thrust into the small gullet-passage of the throat, and 
there turned around quickly once or twice — when drawn out 
will bring up the little worms, and destroy them. But it must 
be done cautiously, and two persons are required to do tliis 
well. 

If chicks are valuable, this will answer. But first ascertain 
if they have any worms, before giving them " all the dissolved 
soda they will eat in meal dough" — or any other poison I 
Crushed corn or broken wheat, soaked in strong alum water, 
is said to be a good remedy, ordinarily, for this worm-trouble. 
Yet in all cases with young stock, the simplest medicines and 
the least given, are the most effectual, to birds that are prop- 
erly fed and provided for in healthy quarters. 

As to advice touching the cure for accidentally fractured 
limbs, which certain authors offer prescriptions for, we can 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 45 

only say that we never attempted to remedy this misfortune, 
except by cutting off the victim's head, iustanter. 

If the case occurs with a cock, he would rarely be worth a 
sixpence to breed from, (if he could be restored) after recov- 
ing from a broken leg. If it occurs to a hen, the mending of 
her fractured shank is a questionable piece of surgerj^ at the 
best. And we look upon all such experiments as cruel to the 
unfortunate fowls, and quite worthless to their owners, even 
if successful ; while, as we are all aware, not one poultry 
keeper in a hundred is competent to set a broken limb prop- 
erly, even if such surgical operation were desirable. If he 
call in a doctor, the bill of expense would be more than most 
fowls are worth. 

The habit alluded to, on page 37, which some fowls have of 
eating the feathers off their mates (which is only a habit), is 
variously prescribed for by those who rarely succeed in check- 
ing or abating this nuisance. The fowls addicted to this trick 
should be watched, and the quiet victims who listlessly stand 
to be thus disfigured, may, upon the parts where the feathers 
have thus been plucked, have generously rubbed over the spots 
an ointment made of lard, sulphur and kerosene — which the 
depredators will not eat a great deal of, subsequently ! But I 
have found the system suggested in another place, of keeping 
the birds employed (so that they will not be thinking of indulg- 
ing this vitiated appetite) very much the best way to prevent 
the evil. If they are busied with scratching for their food, 
scattered amongst the leaves or straw in their pens, they will 
not stop to pluck the feathers from their companions' necks and 
sides, very often. 

These accidents and incidents occur in all poultry yard^ 
more or less. But where fowls are properly tended and 
housed and treated, far less of these complaints are known, 
than upon the premises of the careless, indifferent, or reckless 
breeder. And it wiU be found by the humane, considerate 
and kindly disposed keeper of this useful and interesting class 
of live stock, that a share of his attention given daily to the 



46 DISEASES OP DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

condition of his fowls, a watchfulness for their reasonable 
needs, and an eye open to the probable or possible approach of 
these troubles, will save him toil and money both, in his fowl- 
breeding experience. 



TO CONCLUDE, 

"We will only add that the ground we have taken in the first 
pages of this treatise is the true position ; inasmuch as actual 
experience, and the accomplishment of clearly defined results 
warrant the deductions assumed, that, notwithstanding certain 
theoretical writers (who have a goodly knowledge of the 
physical ills that afflict humanity') count the number of diseases 
of poultry by scores — there are really less than a dozen kinds 
of sickness that will give fowl-breeders any trouble. 

The majority of these ailments are directly traceable for their 
cause to the errors and short-comings, carelessness and inhu- 
manity of those who are responsible for the unprofitable and 
unfortunate results attending their ignorance and indifference. 

The different diseases noted in this treatise, embrace all the 
maladies that are habitual among domestic poultry. If any 
others occur in the experience of American fanciers or breeders 
of fowls, they are exceptional — not generally prevalent. 

And we apprehend that if such exceptiong,l cases are known, 
they may be readily traced to a correspondence with some one 
of the leading " diseases " herein mentioned ; the cause for 
which will also be found to be similar to those which we have 
endeavored briefly but clearly to explain. 

We have made no attempt here at a display of technical 
terms, or through studied appellations and mystical phrase- 
ology contrived to confound the ordinary reader. We " take 
no stock " in the profound theories that certain learned authors 
have set forth, regarding what we look upon in the main as a 
very simple affair. 



HOW TO AVOID AND CURE THEM. 47 

The Asiatic varieties in late years incline to lose the original 
bright yellow skin npon the leg, so desirable in that class, when 
they come to be a year or two old. This has been observed by 
breeders who cannot readily account for the radical change 
that occurs with many Cochins and Brahmas, after chickenhood, 
which show clear lemon or orange colored shanks, at hatching. 
The skin of the limbs blanches frequently to flesh-color, or 
almost to white, in their second year. 

This will happen to fowls that have frequent access to the 
ash-heap, or to such as are permitted to roll in unleached ashes 
for their daily bath. The alkali bleaches the leg-skin. If fowls 
are kept upon dry lime-rock soil this result will be seen, often- 
times. The only remedy for this disappointing occurrence is 
to avoid keeping the stock limited to dry hot floors, or permit- 
ting them to visit the fresh ash-heap. Birds that enjoy a free 
grass-run or pasture for a range, are rarely affected in this way. 

There is one important recommendation in ministering to 
these fowl-ails, which we have always found so necessary to 
average success in treating the invalids, that we feel constrained 
to insist upon its observance, for the common benefit of poultry- 
men and their stock. And this is that fowls should never be 
over-dosed. 

The less medicine given them — as a rule — the better they 
will be off, in the end. They need but very little in quantity, 
at any time, to operate on them to their advantage, or their 
destruction. It is easier to kill a good bird with over-dosing, 
than to work its recovery by judicious physicking. And many 
of the mineral and powerful medicines proposed by those who 
have never studied a domestic fowl's actual construction and 
constitutional habits, are utterly useless as remedies for their 
little ailments. 

So we repeat that the simplest remedials are always the best. 
What we understand the nature of, and what we know will 
work in a certain way, regularly and effectively — such as 
sulphur, castor-oil, powdered rhubarb, alum, sal-soda, alcohol, 
camphor, cayenne, tincture of iron, garlic, etc., when properly 



48 DISEASES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. 

administered, are the sort of medicines which should be made 
use of — and not the numerous chemicals and minerals advised 
by those who do not appreciate a- fowl's composition, or natural 
formation. 

In the hands of uneducated persons, all these unknown and 
subtle preparations are simply destructive to the life and health 
of the feathered tribe ; and in our own experience they have 
rarely proved either useful or beneficial, when we have experi- 
mented with many of them. For this reason, we advise and 
apply in practice the simplest remedies, invariably ; and strive 
so to keep the birds, and provide for their daily needs and com- 
fort, that they may require but little dosing, as a general thing ; 
which we consider much the better mode of management, in 
the long run. 

Entertaining this view, which is established in our own mind 
as the wisest — through study, and years of experiment — we 
have passed beyond appreciating the many elaborate methods 
advised by learned chicken-doctors, who have written first and 
last upon intricate ways and means to cure common fowl ails. 

The farmer or ordinary poulterer is at a loss to understand 
this pedantic advice. Nine times in ten, the condiments or 
decoctions recommended by some of these savans could not be 
procured in our interior country towns, at all ! When obtained, 
the buyer has no knowledge of their use, an^ is unequal to their 
rightful application. Therefore we have, in plain language 
and unmistakeable terms, endeavored to address the contents 
of this treatise to the clear understanding of those who may be 
generally profited by adopting the advice contained therein. 

We could never appreciate much of this high-sounding flum- 
mery regarding poultry, its ailments, and their " scientific " 
treatment — since we know very well how different are the 
constitution, the physical construction, and the functions of a 
gallinaceous fowl, from those of a human being. 

We have striven to keep in view the fact that poultry-keepers, 
as a rule, are neither educated doctors or accomplished surgeons. 
What the professional man may understand about surgery, an- 



HOW TO AVOID AND CUKE THEM. 49 

atomy, chemistry and medicine — is one thing. What the fowl- 
breeder desires to know, is, not what the studied technical names 
of the ailments that assail his birds may be, but what is plainly 
and clearly the trouble, when they are ill ; and how he may go 
about curing or alleviating their ails, without being obliged to 
cram himself with the intricacies of the materia medica, or be- 
come a proficient in Latin and Greek, to enable him to decide 
what he must administer, to cure his sick chickens. 

If the writer has succeeded in making himself understood, 
herein — that is something ! He comprehends what he has 
written, himself, at all events. 

Filth, cold and wet yards, poor shelter, improper food, tainted 
drink, starvation, neglect, sunless houses in winter, or lack of 
shade in summer, close confinement, lousy nests', dirty floors, 
foul feed troughs, want of ventilation, etc., etc., are the causes 
of fowl disease, and death among them. 

Reform this, altogether, or do not attempt to breed poultry, 
is our advice. And if the suggestions made herein towards the 
performance of the higher and better part in fowl-keeping be 
followed — we are quite confident that poultry-breeders will be 
troubled very little with " diseases " among their flocks. 

With the nicest care and the best arrangements, however, 
fowls in American poultry yards and runs will inevitably get 
sick, more or less — as they will elsewhere. 

During the past two years, it has been noticeable that more 
complaints were current than ever hitherto, of ails among fowls. 
And this fact induced the author to prepare these pages, in a 
concise and complete form — limiting the treatise exclusively to 
the subject of diseases of domestic poultry, because no book 
devoted to this topic alone was in print, and the call for such a 
work was very general. 

As we stated in the opening of this treatise, it is important 
that we know clearly what the matter is with our fowls — when 
out of trim — before we begin to dose them. This being satis- 
factorily determined, we can then go about assisting them to 
throw off the disorders, and do this intelligently. 



ADDENDA. 

"YAWS." — A NEW NAME FOR RoUP. 

Since the first edition of this work was issued, the attention of the 
author has been called, through several private letters, to a newly 
NAMED disease that is said to have made its appearance of late in 
the South and South-west, which one writer has denominated b}' the 
novel title of " Yaws ;" a term which is defined b}' some lexicogi-apher 
as a disease occurring in hot countries, characterised by tumors or 
ulcers of a contagious t^q^e, resembling strawberries, outwardly — 
which atfection (in human beings) is accompanied by emaciation, &c. 

A correspondent at Louisville, K3'., writes me that indications quite 
similar to these appeared upon the heads and necks of several of his 
Leghorns, Games, Bantams, &c., but that his Brahmas had not been 
atfected with it. Still, he " considers it certainly contagious." 

The sj'mptoms are the forming of small white specks, at first, which 
soon spread over ear-lobes and wattles ; — and the sides of the face 
and poll are covered with " bumps," or bunches, which extend to the 
throat, form into ulcers, and then the birds die. 

This is a clear case of virulent roup. There is no doubt about it, in 
our mind. The name "j-aws" given to this disease is no more appli- 
cable to it (in chicken language) than would be the ' ' itch ! " And as 
to its being "caused b}' musquito-bites," this is simply folly. 

Webster defines the term "yaw" as "rising in blisters, breaking 
in white froth," etc. The "warts," or "bumps," or bunches thus 
formed, are white (or colored) pustules. These little ulcers gather 
upon the comb-base, around the nostrils, upon the cheeks, &c., and 
if not dispelled, .they grow to blotchy sores, turn dark, fill with pus, 
swell the glands, close up the eyes, obstruct the nostrils, follow into 
the gullet, and choke or worry the birds to death, finally. 

The trouble is first caused by their taking cold, and it is contagious. 
If taken in season, it can be cured. It is roup, only — in an 
aggravated shape. Take the affected birds aw a}'' from the well ones, 
IMMEDIATELY whcu you uotc the first indications. Wash the head 
and nostrils with alum-water, or diluted vitrol. Bathe the aftected 
parts TnoROUGiiLY, three times a day. Place the fowl in dry warm 
quarters. Put Cayenne pepper into the drink, and feed on nourish- 
ing but low diet — with ginger and rhubarb pills for physic. 

Treat the birds precisel}' as you would for an attack of roup — of 
which this is clearly but one violent phase. And if the}' are not too 
far gone when you begin with them, they will recover in ten days. 
The pustules will disappear, the cold will pass ofl", and there need be 
lost not one in twenty, that may be at first affected with this ailment. 

There should be no delay after the first white or red spots show, 
to see what these "blotches" will come to ! They are forming into 
pustules. They are incipient ulcers. Physic and nurse the sick birds 
as for roup, and 3-ou can save them. 

Parties whose poultry has been thus assailed, have innocently 
trumped up the "yaws" disease ; which assails the negroes in very 
hot climates, as does " Yellow Jack" and " Small Pox," and which is 
slightly analogous to roup among domestic fowls, perhaps. But this 
"yaws" is simply one more new name for a very old chicken disease. 



I'JFLKDIB SO GJEiJST'nS. 



OF 



®®M®S1I© P®®iBtB¥, 




HOW TO AVOID, AND CURE THEM 

Bv gp:o. p. burnham. 

WITH A PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHO,. 

MELROSE. MASS. 
LS76. 



Oonvritrhted liv <t. P. HirnvHvM 1876. 



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